The case: The Knights opened the season by allowing seven points to an Akron team that last week hung 24 on Michigan, followed that with a shutout of Florida International, and last Saturday edged Penn State in State College, Pa. Put that way, it makes you wonder why Central Florida isn't already in the top 25. Is it possible

Next opponent: vs. South Carolina, Sept. 28

2. Arizona

The case: The Wildcats have the best Sagarin rating (23rd) of this group. It also has an average victory margin of 35 points. A 38-13 win against Texas-San Antonio could look even better by December.

Next opponent: at Washington, Sept. 28

3. Auburn

The case: Two of the Tigers' wins have been close, but their opponents give Auburn the best strength of schedule (87) of this group. Auburn opened by beating a Washington State team that is playing great defense, dominated a good Sun Belt team in Arkansas State, and found a way to beat Mississippi State in its SEC opener.

Next opponent: at LSU, Saturday

4. Arkansas

The case: The Razorbacks are quickly shaking off the dust from a disastrous 2012. Coach Bret Bielema also appears to have created a southern version of Wisconsin's Montee Ball-James White backfield with Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams, who are fourth and seventh, respectively, among FBS rushing leaders.

Next opponent: at Rutgers, Saturday

5. Maryland

The case: The Terrapins could be in the top half of this list before long. It's just that their opponents have been the second-weakest of the bunch. But quarterback C.J. Brown ranks in the top 10 of FBS for total offense, and it's possible Maryland is putting it all together in Randy Edsall's third season as coach.

Next opponent: vs. West Virginia (Baltimore), Saturday

6. Minnesota

The case: The Golden Gophers are averaging more than 41 points per game, but their strength of schedule is the weakest of this group, barely making the top 200 in the Sagarin ratings. Still, a review of the other teams' schedules in this group indicates that Minnesota is the likeliest of this bunch to start 5-0.

- UCLA coach Jim Mora, in offering an example of an athlete who embodied the idea of a "winner" chose a Boston Celtics player over anyone from the local team. Risky move? (Disclosure: I would have too.)